Executive and Artistic Director, The Soraya

Organization Nestled on the southernmost part of California State University, Northridge (CSUN), The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) welcomes the world to CSUN and fosters the creativity, curiosity, and intellectual development of its students, faculty, and staff. The Soraya serves as a premier cultural hub for CSUN, the San Fernando Valley, and the greater Los Angeles region. Its mission is to offer diverse, inclusive, and world-class performances that enrich the cultural and educational fabric of the region, while supporting CSUN’s educational mission. The Soraya is committed to supporting both established and emerging artists and fostering campus and community engagement through the transformative power of the arts.    Originally opened in 2011 as the Valley Performing Arts Center, The Soraya was renamed in 2017 in recognition of a major gift from arts philanthropists Younes and Soraya Nazarian. Designed with state-of-the-art acoustics and architectural excellence, the 1,690-seat Great Hall is the centerpiece of a 166,000-square-foot facility that also includes rehearsal spaces and support amenities that accommodate a wide range of artistic disciplines. Its Valera Lobby levels, courtyard, rooftop terrace, Porter Pavilion, and art gallery offer various gathering spaces. The facility also houses several spaces managed by the Mike Curb College and the University, including a 178-seat black box theater, CSUN’s largest lecture hall, four theatre training labs, and CSUN’s nationally acclaimed public radio station, 88.5 The SoCal Sound. In addition to the Soraya Great Hall, Soraya staff also manage the separate 483 seat Plaza del Sol performance venue located within the University Student Union.   Each season, The Soraya presents a dynamic array of performances spanning classical music, jazz, global traditions, contemporary dance, Broadway, and more. Its current season features a mix of internationally acclaimed artists and innovative new works, highlighting cross-cultural exchange and artistic excellence. Artists routinely provide masterclasses for CSUN's performing arts students and engage with students across campus. Student ensembles have been invited to perform as part of the Soraya's presenting season, and CSUN's academic programs utilize Soraya spaces regularly for performances connected to their curriculum. Recent and upcoming programming highlights include Gregory Porter, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lila Downs, and Martha Graham Dance Company. With a strong curatorial vision, The Soraya continues to be a vibrant destination for both audiences and artists alike. The annual Jazz at Naz Festival programming offers a jazz club feel, bringing audience members onstage for dinner and libations, in addition to mainstage performances by jazz greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Samara Joy, Christian McBride, Chucho Valdés, and more. Festival presentations are livestreamed, as well as Spanish language concert programs.   The Soraya is deeply committed to arts education and community engagement through programs such as arts integration workshops, masterclasses, and school-day matinees. The Soraya serves thousands of K-12 students annually through youth outreach initiatives that foster access to the performing arts for under-resourced populations and provide pathways for young people to experience live performance, often for the first time. The Soraya also partners with local organizations to bring culturally relevant programming into community spaces.    The Soraya employs 31 full-time and approximately 145 part-time and seasonal staff members, including 91 represented employees. Direct reports for the Executive and Artistic Director include the Director of Development, General Manager, Director of Marketing and Communications, Director of Programming, Director of Production, and an executive assistant. The operating budget for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, is $9.7 million, with approximately 50% from contributions, grants, and other fundraising. The Soraya is supported by founders & community partners, Ambassadors, The Legacy Society, and the Executive Directors’ Circle. The Executive and Artistic Director of the Soraya reports to CSUN’s Vice President for Administration and Finance.    The University California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is one of the largest universities within the 22 campus California State University System—the largest public higher education system in the world. CSUN serves nearly 40,000 students annually across its 353 acres and 91 facilities, and its students reflect the rich diversity of the San Fernando Valley’s 2 million residents. CSUN counts a number of distinguished, business, arts, political and cultural leaders among its more than 400,000 CSUN alumni.    The campus includes nine co